Hosiery turner and method



F. R. SHOAF HOSIERY TURNER AND METHOD Aug. 28, 1956' 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 22, l953 QN) enw INVENTOR: l-Zovp A. Six/04F.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1956 F. R. SHOAF Y 2,760,696

HOSIERY TURNER AND METHOD Filed Oct. 22, 1953 6 Sheeis-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: Fwy R 51104;.

ATTORNEYS 28, 1956 F. R. SHOAF 2,760,696

HOSIERY TURNER AND METHOD Filed Oct. 22, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 FLOYD A. Sf/am; Z0] INVENTOR 40 33 32 ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1956 F. R. SHOAF HOSIERY TURNER AND METHOD 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 22, 1953 FzoYD 1Q. 3/1046 1N VENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Fatent HOSIERY TURNER AND METHOD Floyd R. Shoal, Concord, N. C.

Application October 22, 1953, Serial No. 387,602

20 Claims. (Cl. 22342) This invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for turning or everting soft, pliable or limp tubular articles, such as full fashioned hosiery and the like.

As is well known in the art, full fashioned hose are seamed up the back, after which it is necessary to turn each hose inside out preparatory to subsequent dyeing, boarding and other finishing operations. Heretofore, it has been necessary to turn the hose inside out by hand, which has not only been a time consuming and, consequently, expensive operation, but has often resulted in runners, broken stitches or pull threads being formed in the hose as a result of a persons hand being thrust into each hose during the coursev of the hosiery turning oreverting operation.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a simple and effective method for automatically turning hosiery inside out and wherein each successive hose is discharged from the machine in its natural elongated state so that the hose are neatly stacked as they are discharged from the apparatus, that is, each successive hose is not bunched, folded or rolled up in a random manner upon being discharged from the machine.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved stocking turning apparatus having an elongated member on one end of which the open endof a stocking is placed and having means for engaging the stocking and drawing it onto the elongated member. Doffing means then engage the inner closed end-of the stocking and pull it inside out off the elongated'member.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved hosiery turning machine for carrying out the improved method of turning hosiery, which machine comprises an elongated substantially channelshaped or tubular hose receiving member having a convex upper surface and about one end of which the welt or open end of each successive hose may be manually positioned, whereupon a control element is actuated to cause a hose donning device having a curved lower surface to resiliently engage the exterior of the welt of the hose and to draw the hose onto said elongated member. The welt is then automatically released from the donning device. The free end or nose of the hose receiving member has an apertured portion depending therefrom and an automatically operable toe punching device punches the toe of the hose into said aperture whereupon grippers, carried by a hose dofling and everting device, grasp the closed end portion or toe of the hose and the hose dotting and everting device then moves longitudinally of the hose receiving member along the channel in its lower surface to thereby pull the hose inside out while simultaneously drawing the hose off the nose of the hose receiving member.

Upon said hose dotfing and everting device reaching the end of its active stroke, the hose is automatically released therefrom thus permitting the hose to move downwardly, by gravity, in its natural elongated state so the hose are neatly stacked in elongated substantially parallel position as they are discharged from the improved ma- Patented Aug. 28, 1956 turner looking up at the lower side of Figure l, but being on a reduced scale, and showing a hose partially POSi-1 tioned upon the hose receiving member in broken lines and also wherein parts are broken away for purposes of clarity; I

Figure 3 is an enlarged view looking substantially at the right-hand side of Figures 1 and 2, with parts broken away, but showing the toe-seating plunger or toe punche ing device in operative position for inserting the trailing end or toe of the hose into the apertured nose of the hose receiving member and also showing the hose donning device in raised or inoperative position; i I

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the improved hosiery turner looking at the opposite side of Figure 2 and wherein the hose is shown in broken lines as though substantially completely inverted;

Figure 5 is an enlarged elevation of the hosiery turner looking at the left-hand side of Figures 1 and 2, but omitting the removable rear wall of the gear housing;

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view through the hose receiving member and the gear housing with parts broken away and being taken substantially along line 6-6 in Figure 5; a

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 7--7 in Figure 1 and showing, in particular, the carriages for the hose donning device and the hose doffing and everting device;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantially along line 8-8 in Figure 7, showing the hose donning device in raised or inoperative position and showing the carriage therefor disposed adjacent the supported or member;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 8, but showing the hose donning device adjacent the free end or nose of the hose receiving member and in lowered or operative position; a

Figure 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the donning carriage taken substantially along the line 10-10 in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an enlarged exploded isometric view of the hose donning carriage with parts broken away and in section and wherein broken lines are provided to indicate the relationship of the various parts thereof; 7

Figure 12 is an inverted plan view of the hose dofiing and everting device removed from the hose receiving member and looking up substantially along line 1212 in Figure 7; i

Figure 13 is an exploded isometric view of the hose cloning and evertin'g device and wherein broken lines are provided to indicate the relationship of the various parts thereof;

Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of the electrical circuit for controlling the operation of the improved hosiery turner;

Figure 15 is an enlarged isometric view of the cam, shown in the left-hand central portion of Figure 1, for controlling movement of the toe punching device;

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to the right-hand portion of Figure 6 and showing the manner in which the toe or closed end of rear end of the hose receiving,

3 a hose is positioned in the apertured nose of the hose receiving member by the toe punching device in order to be grasped by the gripper or jaws of the hose everting device;

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16, but wherein the toe punching device is omitted and, instead, the hose doffing and everting device is shown in the position occu'pied thereby as the jaws thereof are actuated to grasp the toe of the hose;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary illustration of a modified means for positioning the toe of the stocking in the apertured nose of the hose receiving member so the toe may be grasped by the hose everting device.

Referirng generally to the drawings, the improved 3 hosiery turner comprises an elongated substantially horizontally disposed hose receiving member 10 which is generally tubular or channel-shaped and about the free end or nose of which the welt or open end portion W of an elongated tubular pliable article A, which shall be hereinafter termed as a hose or stocking, is positioned by'an operator, at which time the operator closes a switch which starts the machine. An arcuate resilient member 11 f a hose donning device, broadly designated at 12, then moves ,1

forwardly and then downwardly and presses the upper portion ofthe welt W against the curved or convex upper surface of the hose receiving member 10.

The donning device is carried by a hose donning car riage, broadly designatedat 13, which is mounted for reciprocatory movement parallel to the elongated hose receiving member on a reversely threaded shaft 14. The reversely threaded shaft 14 is driven in such a manner that, upon each cycle in the operation of the improved hosiery turner, the donning carriage 13 moves from left to right or forwardly and then from right to left or rearwardly substantially the entire length of the reversely threaded shaft 14. The carriage 13 then returns forwardly to its original or idle position substantially as shown in Figure 1. Thus, as the donning carriage moves from right to left in Figures 1 and 2, the arcuate donning device frictionally draws the hose A onto the hose receivin g member 10.

When the donning device 12 has moved a predetermined distance from right to left in Figures 1 and 2, which may be termed as an active stroke thereof, the arcuate member 11 is raised to inoperative position (see Figures 3, 7 and 8) to release the hose A therefrom.

Also, as the donning device 12 approaches the limit of its active stroke, the free end of a toe punching device or plunger 16 is automatically swung from a normally inactive position to a position adjacent the free end of the hose receiving member whereupon it then moves inwardly and forces 'a portion of the closed end or toe T (Figures 16 and 17) of the hose A through a substantially crescent-shaped aperture or opening 17 formed in a cap, nose member or plate 20 depending from the free front end of the hose receiving member 10.

Also, as the toe punching device 16 is swung to operative position, rotation is imparted to a second reversely threaded shaft 21, which extends longitudinally of the hose receiving member and is housed therein, to thereby impart an inactive stroke to a hose doifing and everting device or carriage broadly designated at 22. The hose dofiing and everting carriage 22 is mounted for longitudinal movement on the second reversely threaded shaft 21 and has a pair of relatively movable toe gripping jaws 23 and 24 mounted thereon (Figures 1, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 17) which enter the opening 17 in the cap 20, as

during the course of which the hose A is drawn through the opening 17. It follows that the hose A is also drawn off the hose receiving member 10 by the everting device 22.

As the hose dotting and everting carriage 22 approaches the end of its active stroke, the jaws 23 and 24 are automatically opened to release the toe of the hose therefrom, at which time the hose will have been completely withdrawn or dotfed from the hose receiving member 10 and the welt is substantially simultaneously drawn through the opening 17 so the hose is discharged from the hosiery turning apparatus in its elongated natural state and .falls, by gravity, from the hose receiving member; Also, as the doffing and everting carriage 22 approaches the end of each successive active stroke, mechanism is operated to cause cessation of rotation of the corresponding second reversely threaded shaft 21 to complete a cycle in the operation of the improved hosiery turning a paratus.

Detailed description of hosiery. turner neath the table or platform 30.

The table or platform 30 has a gear housing, casing or frame broadly designated at33 fixed thereon, which gear housing includes top and bottom walls 34 and 35, sidewalls 36 and 37 and inner and outer end walls or front and rear walls 40 and 41. The outer wall 41 is preferably removably secured to the housing 33, as by screws 42 (Figures 2, 4 and 6).

The hose receiving member 10 comprises an elongated sleeve or channel-shaped body portion 44 having a convex upper surface which is preferably substantially greater than semi-circular in cross-section. As best shown in Figure 7 it will be observed that the upper or outer surface of the body portion 44 of the hose receiving member 10' extends through an arc of approximately two hundred sixty degrees. The body portion 44 is preferably tapered at a relatively shallow angle'adjacent its free end, to which free end the nose member'20 is suitably secured, as by welding. The outer surface of the body portion 44 of the hose receiving member 10 is also preferably highly polished. 1

The fixed or supported end of the body portion 144, opposite from the end to which the nose member 20 is secured, has a substantially circular peripheral flange 46 integral therewith which is suitably secured to the exterior surface of the front wall 40 of the gear housing or casing 33, as by screws 37 (Figures 2, 3 and 4). The

body portion 44 of hose receiving member 10 has a shown in Figure 17, as the hose dofiing and everting carlongitudinally extending groove or channel 50 therein and is also provided with a longitudinally extending countergroove 51 therein which is of substantially greater width than the channel or groove 50 and which is formed in alinement with the aperture 17 in nose member 20.

The hose doffing and everting device 22 comprises a substantially rectangular block or body 53 whose upper portion is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in the groove 50. It will be best observed in Figures 6, .7 and 17 that the lower portion of the body or block 53 extends into the countergroove 51. The block 53 has a longitudinally extending bore 54 therein (Figures 13 and 14) which is loosely or slidably penetrated by the threads on the second reversely threaded shaft 21.

The shaft 21 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 55 and 56. The bearing 55 is suitably mounted in the front wall 40 of gear housing or casing 33 and the bearing 56 is suitably mounted in the cap or nose member 20 immediately above aperture 17. The reversely threaded shaft 21 has a reduced portion 57 thereon which loosely penetrates the wall 40 of gear housing 33 and has a pinion or relatively small gear 60 fixed thereon which meshes with a relatively large gear 61 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 62, one end of which is fixed in the wall 40 of the gear housing 33.

The gear 61 has a grooved pulley or V-pulley 64 fixed thereon or integral therewith which is engaged by an endless belt 65 which extends upwardly through a slot 66 in the top wall 34 of housing 33 and also engages a grooved pulley or V-pulley 67. The pulley 67 is fixed on a shaft 68 of an electric motor 70. The electric motor 70 is automatically controlled by means to be later described (Figure 14).

Disposed adjacent the electric motor 70 is an electric motor 71, which is also automatically controlled by means to be later described, and these motors 70 and 71 are suitably secured to a substantially Z-shaped bracket 69 which extends downwardly and is suitably secured to the upper wall 34- of gear housing 33. The shaft 72 of the electric motor 71 also has a grooved or V-pulley 73 fixed thereon and engaged by an endless belt 74 which also extends through slot 66 and engages a grooved or V-pulley 75 journaled on a stub shaft 76. One end of the stub shaft 76 is also suitably secured in the wall 40 of the gear housing 33 and has a relatively large gear 77 fixed thereon.

The gear 77 meshes with a relatively small gear or pinion 86 fixed on a reduced portion 81 integral with the first threaded shaft 14. The first threaded shaft 14 is also suitably journaled adjacent the reduced portion 81 thereof in the wall 40 of the gear housing 33 and its other end is suitably journaled in a standard 83 fixed to the platform 30 in laterally spaced relation to the free end of the hose receiving member 10.

Hose donning device As heretofore stated, the hose donning device 12 comprises a curved resilient member 11 which traverses substantially the length of the curved upper surface of the hose receiving member 11 during each active or rearward stroke thereof. In Figure 7, the curved resilient member 11 is shown in the form of a resilient tube which fits snugly about an arcuate rod 85 which is preferably circular in cross-section and adjacent one end of which a lever 86 is connected, as by being welded thereto. In order to insure that the curved lower or inner surface of the tubular member 11 has a high co-eflicient of friction, it is preferable that the resilient tube 11 is provided with closely spaced ridges throughout the length thereof as shown in Figures 3, 8 and 9.

The hose donning carriage 13 comprises a substantially rectangular block or body 87 which has a pair of spaced upwardly projecting cars 90 thereon in which opposite ends of a pivot pin 91 are mounted and on which pivot pin a medial portion of the lever 86 is mounted. As best shown in Figure 11, the block 87 has a longitudinally extending or substantially horizontally disposed bore 92 therethrough which is loosely or slidably penetrated by the first threaded shaft 14. Opposite sides of the block 87 of the hose donning carriage 13 are provided with respective upper and lower outwardly projecting wall portions 93, 94 and 95, 16 (Figures 7, 8, 9, and 11) which slidably engage the upper and lower edges of respective guide bars or tracks 189 and 101 whose lower portions straddle the first reversely threaded shaft 14. Opposite ends of the tracks 10%) and 101 are fixed to the wall 40 of the gear housing 33 and the standard 83.

Referring to Figure 11, it will be observed that the upper portion of the block 87 has a circular cavity 102 therein which is disposed between the ears 9%) and in which the circular upper portion of a yoke member or threa following member 193 is mounted for oscillatory movement and which is retained in the cavity 102 by a bar 104 suitably secured to the block 87. Depending from the circular or body portion 103 of the yoke memher is a thread follower portion 105 which is substantially diamond-shaped in cross-section and whose lower edge is provided with a substantially semi-circular recess or cavity 106 whose wall is adapted to engage the periphery of the root surface of the threaded shaft 14, that is, the surface of the oppositely threaded shaft 14 between adjacent spiral ridges forming the threads thereon.

It is thus seen that, although the first reversely threaded shaft 14 always rotates in the same direction each time the electric motor 71 is energized, in a manner to be later described, since the threads on the shaft 14 are closed at opposite ends thereof, the position of the yoke 163, 1115 is automatically shifted as the block 87 approaches each end of the first threaded shaft 14 to thereby automatically reverse the direction of movement of the block 87.

While the improved hosiery turner is at rest, the hose donning device 12 and its carriage 13 occupy substantially the position shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 and, upon energization of the motor 71; by manually closing a normally open master switch 152, the position of the yoke 103, 1115 is then such that the carriage 13 moves from left to right or forwardly in Figure 1.

As the carriage 13 and hose donning device 12 move from left to right in an inactive stroke, the arcuate resilient member 11 of the donning device 12 is maintained in the raised or inoperative position shown in Figures 3, 7 and 8 by a link 1110 whose upper end is pivotally or universally connected to the end of the lever 86 opposite from the arcuate member 11.

In this instance, the hose donning device 12 is normally urged downwardly to operative position by :a tension spring 1111 (Figures 3, 7, 10 and 11) whose upper end is connected to the lever 36 and whose lower end is suitably connected to the bottom of a cavity 112 formed in the upper surface of the block 87. The upper portion of the link 1111 loosely penetrates the corresponding end of the lever 86 and is bent outwardly to engage the upper surface of the lever 86 to thereby facilitate manually raising the hose donning device 12 to inoperative position, if desired.

The link extends downwardly from lever 86 and loosely extends through an opening or aperture 113 in the wall portion 95 extending outwardly from block 87 of the hose donning carriage 13. The lower end of the link 110-is pivotally connected to one end of a pivoted dog or latch 114. It will be noted in Figures 7, 10 and 11 that the groove defined by the upper and lower wall portions 95 and 96 is of substantially greater depth than the thickness of the tracks 101 and the pivoted dog 114 is pivotally mounted on the inner wall of said groove defined by the walls 95 and 96, as at 115.

While the hose donning device 12 is in operative position as shown in Figures 2, 9 and 11, the end of the pivoted dog or latch 114 remote from the link 1111 engages the upper surface of a shifting rod 116 which extends parallel to the reversely threaded shaft 14 and is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in vertically disposed guide members 117 and 118 whose upper and lower ends are suitably secured to opposite ends of the wall members 95 and 96. Fixed intermediate the ends of the shifting rod 116 is a shifting block or cam block 121 which, upon movement of the shifting rod 116 from right to left in Figure 9 engages the lower surface of the pivoted dog or latch 114, below the pivot point thereof, and swings the free end thereof upwardly to the position shown in Figures 8 and 10.

In so doing, the link 1111 is caused to move down wardly thus raising the hose donning device 12 to the inoperative position shown in Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8. Not only is the hose donning device 12 held in raised or inoperative position by the shifting block or cam 121 when it occupies the position shown in Figure 8, but the shifting block 121 is also maintained in the latter position by means of a locking pin or detent 122 having an enlarged substantially hemispherical portion 123 on its inner end which is then in engagement with a concavity 124 in the block 87 (Figures 9, 10 and 11). As best shown in Figure 10, the shifting block or cam 121 has a cavity 125 in its inner surface in which the enlarged portion 123 of the locking pin 122 is mounted for axial sliding movement.

The pin 122 is normally urged inwardly by a compression spring 126 which normally causes the hemispherical portion 123 on the pin 122 to seat in the concavity 124 when the shifting block or cam 121 occupies the position shown in Figures 8 and 10. The pin 122 slidably penetrates the outer end of the block 121 and is of such length that, when the hemispherical portion 123 is seated in the concavity 124, the pin 122 is spaced inwardly sufficiently from the corresponding track 101 to miss the inner end of an abutment or stop 127 which is shown in the form of a thumb screw in Figures 1, 4 and 10.

It will be observed in Figure 4 that the track 101 has a plurality of longitudinally spaced threaded bores 130 therein, in any one of which the thumb screw 127 may be positioned in accordance with the length of the nose or article A to be everted on the improved hosiery turner. The function of the abutment or thumb screw 127 will be later described.

it will be observed in Figure 8 that, while the shifting block or cam 121 is in the position shown in Figure 8, the shifting rod 116 extends outwardly beyond the front or left-hand guide plate 117 and engages the standard 83 as the carriage 13 approaches the end of its inactive stroke from left to right in Figures 1 and 2., or from right to left in Figures 8 and 9. In so doing, the block 87 moves relative to the shifting rod 116 causing the same to occupy the position shown in Figures 9, l0 and 11, in the course of which the compression spring 111 causes the hose donning device 12 to move downwardly to resiliently clamp the corresponding portion of the welt W of a hose A, previously positioned about the free end or nose of the hose receiving member 10, against the arcuate or curved upper surface of the body 44 of the hose receiving member 10.

As heretofore stated, the position of the yoke 103, 105 is automatically shifted as it reaches the front end of the threaded portion of the first reversely threaded shaft 14 to cause the carriage 13 and the hose donning device 12 to immediately start moving in an active stroke as the hose donning device 12 is lowered to thus grip and draw the hose A onto the hose receiving member 10. Since the hemispherical portion 123 of the locking pin or detent 122 is moved out of the concavity 124 (Figure 11) as the shifting rod 116 is moved relative to the block 87 from the position shown in Figure 8 to that shown in Figure 9, the outer end of the pin 122 then projects outwardly sufficiently to engage the inner end of the thumb screw or abutment 127, at which time the hose A will have been substantially completely drawn onto the hose receiving member 10, with the exception of a relatively short portion of the toe T thereof.

Thus, as the outer end of the pin 122 engages the abutment or thumb screw 127, the hose donning carriage 13 again moves relative to the shifting block 121 and shifting rod 116 causing the same to move from the position shown in Figure 9 to that shown in Figure 8 to thereby again raise the hose donning device to inoperative posi tion as shown in Figures 3 and 7.

However, the carriage 13 continues its movement toward the gear housing 33 and, at substantially the same time that the abutment 127 is initially engaged by the pin 122, a cam follower 130 carried by the block 87 of carriage 13 engages a spirally formed groove 131 in the periphery of an elongated circular cam element or drum The drum cam is a part of the punching Toe punching device The toe punching device 16 comprises a smoothly rounded substantially oval or elliptically-shaped toe punching tip 135 (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 15 and 16) which is fixed to the inturned free end of a rod 136. The rod 136 extends forwardly from the tip 135 and is then bent at a substantially right angle, forming a radial portion 137 which is bent rearwardly at its other end to form a relatively long body portion 140 mounted for longitudinal sliding and rotational movement in a pair of spaced guide blocks 142 and 143 projecting inwardly from the track (Figures 1, 3 and 7). The earn 132 is fixed to the rear end of the body portion 140 of rod 136, that is, the end thereof adjacent the gear housing 33.

When the groove 131 of cam 132 is not engaged by the cam follower 130, the combined weight of the tip and the portion 137 of the rod 136 of the toe punching device 16 is such that the toe punching device occupies substantially the position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7. Also, the toe punching device 16 is normally urged forwardly to the inoperative position shown in Figures 1 and 2 by a compression spring 144 which encircles a portion of the body of the rod 136 and one end of which engages the rear guide block 143. The other end of the compression spring 144 bears against a collar or abutment 145 fixed on the body 140 of the rod 136. Thus, the abutment 145 normally bears against the rear surface of the guide block 142.

It is thus seen that, as the cam follower 130 engages the spiral groove 131 in the cam 132, it ,causes the tip 135 of the toe punching device 16 to swing upwardly from the inoperative position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to a position substantially in horizontal alinement with the aperture 17 in the hose receiving cap or nose member 20.

At this time, the cam follower 130 engages the closed end of the groove 131 in cam 132 (Figures 1 and 15) to cause the cam 132 to move in unison with the hose donning carriage 13, whereupon the tip 135 of the toe punching device 16 engages the loose end portion of the toe T and punches the same into the opening or aperture 17 in the lower portion of the cap 20, substantially as shown in Figure 16.

It will be observed in Figures 1, 3, 7 and 11 that the upper wall portion 95 on the block 87 of the hose donning carriage 13 has a switch actuating member suitably secured thereto and extending outwardly therefrom which is adapted to engage and depress the spring loaded plunger of a doublethrow switch 151 to stop the flow of current to the electric motor 71 while simultaneously effecting the flow of current to the electric motor 70, by means to be later described.

Since the shaft 72 of the electric motor 71 continues to rotate or idle after de-energization of the electric motor 71, the donning carriage 13 continues to move toward the gear housing 33 until it engages the same or closely approaches the same, whereupon the yoke 1193, 105 is again automatically shifted, through engagement with the closed end of the threads on shaft 14, to cause the carriage 13 to again move forwardly in an inactive stroke until the shaft 14 ceases rotation.

At that time, the carriage 13 will have again returned to substantially the position shown in Figure 1, thus permitting the compression spring 144 to return the toe punching device 16 to its forward position and then moving out of engagement with the groove 131 in the earn 132 to permit the ball or tip 135 of the toe punching device to return to its normally inoperative position,

by gravity. The motor 71 then remains de-energized until it is again energized by actuation of the manually operated switch or master switch 152.

The housing of switch 152 is suitably supported in the platform 30 adjacent, and to one side of, the vertical plane of the free end of the hose receiving member (Figures 1, 2 and 14). In this instance, the switch 152 is a normally open two-point-make switch and the spring pressed plunger thereof projects upwardly from the platform 30 and is engaged by the horizontal leg of a substantially L-shaped switch control lever 153 which is pivotally mounted or hingedly connected, as at 154, to the upper surface of the platform 30. It is preferable that the vertical leg of the switch operating lever 152 extends upwardly above the level of the hose receiving member 10 so it may be readily engaged by the hand of the operator as the operator places the welt W of a succeeding hose A about the free end of the hose receiving member 10. The circuit between the switch 152 and the electric motor 70 will be later described.

Dofiing and everting device As heretofore stated, as the donning carriage 13 approaches the end of each active stroke thereof, the element 151) thereon engages and momentarily depresses the spring loaded plunger of the double-throw switch 151 to thereby de-energize the electric motor 71. The momentary depressing of the plunger of the switch 151 also energizes the electric motor 70 to thereby initiate forward movement of the dofling carriage 22, to effect an inactive stroke thereof, in the course of which the jaws 23 and 24 thereof move forwardly through the opening 17 in the cap or nose member 20 for gripping the portion of the toe T of the hose A previously thrust through the opening 17 by the toe punching device 16, in the manner heretofore described.

Now, the block or body 53 of the dofiing carriage 22 is caused to traverse the second reversely threaded shaft 21 in substantially the same manner in which the donning carriage 13 is caused to traverse the first reversely threaded shaft 14. To this end, it will be observed in Figures 12 and 13 that the lower surface of block 53 has a circular cavity 160 therein which communicates with the bore 54 and in which a thread follower or yoke 161 is mounted for oscillatory movement. The thread follower 161 is of substantially the same construction as the thread follower 103, 105 and also includes a blade portion 162 which is substantially diamond-shaped in cross-section and which is provided with a substantially semi-circular cavity 163 in the upper surface thereof for engaging the reversely threaded shaft 21 at the root or base of the threads thereof.

The threads on the second threaded shaft 21 are also formed so as to cause the position of the thread follower 161 to change at the end of each stroke in each direction of the clotting carriage 22 to thereby cause the carriage 22 to automatically reverse its direction of movement at the end of each active and inactive stroke thereof.

The thread follower 161 is supported in the circular cavity 169 by means of a jaw opening shifting rod or element 165 which extends through aligned bores 166 and 167 in the lower portion of the block 53. The inner end of the jaw opening shifting rod 165 is fixed to a jaw control block 170 loosely mounted in a substantially rectangular cavity 171 provided therefor in the lower front portion of the block 53. The front end of the cavity 171 is closed by a closure plate 173 suitably secured to the front surface of the block 53 below the level of the bore 54. The plate 173 has a hole 174 therethrough which is slidably penetrated by a jaw closing shifting rod or element 175.

The inner end of the jaw closing shifting element 175 is also suitably secured to the shifting block 170. The lower end of the shifting block has a transverse tubular portion 176 integral therewith (Figures 6, 7, 12, 13 and 17), which is disposed below the level of the lower surface of the block or body 53 of the doifing carriage 22, and in opposite ends of which the proximal portions of a pair of inwardly tapered projections 180 of respective jaw supporting levers 181 and 182 are loosely mounted. The jaws 23 and 24 are preferably made from a resilient material, such as rubber, leather or the like, and are fixed on the forwardly diverging ends of the jaw levers 181 and 182.

Each of the jaw levers 181 and 182 has a bore 183 therein which is slidably penetrated by a screw 184 for pivotally connecting the jaw levers 181 and 182 to the lower surface of the block 53 of the dofiing carriage 22 adjacent opposite sides of the cavity 171. It should be noted that the projections 180 are disposed substantially radially of the bores 183 in the jaw levers 181 and 182.

The shifting block 170 has a cavity 185 in its upper surface in which a compression spring 186 is loosely positioned and whose upper end is engaged by a substantially hemispherical detent or locking element 187. The detent or locking element 187 is adapted to alternately seat in a pair of longitudinally spaced concavities 190 and 191 formed in the upper wall of the cavity 171 for resiliently maintaining the jaws 23 and 24 in open and closed position, respectively.

Now, when the switch actuating element 150 on the donning carriage 13 engages the plunger of switch 151, the clotting carriage 22 occupies substantially the position shown in Figure 6, in which instance, the jaws 23 and 24 of the doffing and everting device 22 are in open position. As the dofling and everting device 22 approaches the end of its inactive stroke from left to right in Figures 1, 6 and 17, the jaw closing shifting rod 175 engages the inner or rear surface of the cap or nose member 20, on the free end of the hose receiving member 10, and is moved inwardly relative to the block 53.

Of course, the shifting block 170 also moves rearwardly relative to the block 53 to cause the jaws 23 and 24 to move toward each other to closed position and to thereby grip the portion of the toe I of the hose A previously thrust through the aperture 17 therebetween (Figure 17). Also, as the jaws 23 and 24 are closed, the jaw opening shifting rod 165 is caused to project outwardly from the rear end of the block 53.

Immediately upon the jaws 23 and 24 being moved to closed position, the thread follower 161 (Figures 12 and 13) is automatically shifted as it engages the closed front end of the threads on the reversely threaded shaft 21 to initiate an active stroke of the dofling and everting device 22, in which the doffing and everting device 22 moves rearwardly or from right to left in Figures 1 and 6.

As the dofling and everting carriage 22 moves rearwardly 01 from right to left in Figures 1 and 6, the hose A is drawn through the aperture or opening 17 in the cap 20 and is, thus, everted or turned inside out as it is drawn off the hose receiving member 10. As the block 53 of the dotfing and everting device 22 approaches the end of its active stroke from right to left in Figure 6, the jaw opening shifting rod 165 engages a leaf spring member 195 fixed to the wall 40 of the gear housing 33, thus permitting the block 53 to move relative to the shifting rod 165, the shifting block 170 and the shifting rod 175. This opens the jaws 23 and 24 to release the article or hose A therefrom at substantially the same time that the open end of the hose passes through the opening 17 in the cap 20.

The hose, in its natural elongated state is then permitted-to fall through the opening 32 in the platform 30 so that successive everted hose are neatly stacked in their natural elongated state beneath the table or platform 30. Now, although the jaw opening shifting rod 165 may er1 gage the wall 40 of the housing 33 or any suitable abutment, the leaf spring member 195 is provided for actuating a normally closed switch 196 to thereby stop the flow of current to the electric motor 70, whereupon the thread follower 171 causes the doffing and everting device 22 to again reverse its direction of movement until the shaft 68 of the electric motor 70 ceases rotation. Of course, the dofling and everting device 22 then comes to rest in substantially the position shown in Figure 6 preparatory to a repeat operation.

It will be observed in Figure 6 that the housing of the switch 196 is suitably secured to the inner surface of the wall 40 of gear housing 33 and said wall 40 has an opening 197 therein into which the spring loaded plunger of switch 196 extends. The leaf spring member 195 has a projection or abutment 200 on its inner or rear surface which is alined with the opening 197 and is adapted to engage the plunger of switch 196 when the leaf spring member 195 is engaged by the shifting rod 165 or the block 53 of the dofiing and everting carriage 22. The lower end of the spring 195 is suitably secured to the wall 40, as by a screw 201. It will be observed in Figure 3 that the flange 46 of the hose receiving member is cut away to form an opening 202 therein in which the leaf spring member 195 is disposed.

Electrical circuit Referring to Figure 14, the electrical connections between the motors 70 and 7-1 and the switches '1-51, 152 and 196 are shown schematically. The numerals 205 and 206 indicate lead wires, corresponding ends of which are connected to a plug 207 adapted to be connected to a suitable source of alternating current, not shown. The other end of lead wire 205 is connected to one end of the primary winding of a transformer 210, to the other end of which a wire 211 is connected. The end of the wire 211 remote from the primary winding of transfiormer 210 is connected intermediate the ends of the lead wire 206.

The end of lead wire 206 remote from the plug 207 is connected intermediate the ends of a wire or conductor 212, opposite ends of which are connected to relays broadly designated at 213 and 214. The relays 213 and 214 have respective magnetic or solenoid coils 215 and 216 which are alternately energized in a manner to be later described. Upon energization of coil 215, normally open switches or bus bars a, b and c are moved to closed position and upon energizati-on of coil 216, switches or bus bars d, e and f are moved to closed position.

When bus bar a is moved to closed position, it establishes contact between wire 212 and a wire or conductor 220 connected to one side of the electric motor 71. The other side of the electric motor 71 has a wire or conductor 221 extending therefrom to one side of the bus bar or switch b. When the switch or bus bar b is in closed position, it establishes contact; between the wire 221 and a wire or conductor 222. v

A wire or conductor 223 leads from the medial portion of wire 222 to a medial portion of the lead wire 205. When the switch or bus bar c is closed, it establishes contact between wires or conductors 224 and 225. The end of the wire 225 remote from relay 213 is connected to one side of the normally open manually operable master switch 152, to the other side of which a wire or conductor 226 is connected. The end of the wire 226 remote from switch 152 is connected to one side of the secondary winding of the transformer 210. The other side of said secondary winding has a wire or conductor 227 leading therefrom to one side of the bus bar or switch 1 of the relay 214.

When the switch or bus bar 1 is closed, it establishes contact between wire 227 and a wire or conductor 230 which leads to one side of the normally closed switch 196. The other side of switch 196 has corresponding ends of a pair of wires or conductors 231 and 232 connected thereto. The end of the wire 232 remote from switch 196 is connected to one end of the coil 216 of relay 214, to the other end of which a wire or conductor 233 is connected, and which leads to the wire 226 heretofore described. The end of wire 224 remote from the relay 213 is connected intermediate the ends of wire 233.

The end of wire 231 remote from switch 196 is connected to a contact at the normally open side of switch 151 and when the plunger of switch 151 is depressed, contact is established between the end of wire 231 and one end of a wire or conductor 235, whose other end is connected intermediate the ends of a wire or conductor 236.

One end of wire 236 is connected intermediate the ends of wire 227 and its other end is connected to one of the contacts at the normally closed side of the switch 151, which switch 151 then establishes contact between the wire 236 and a Wire or conductor 237. The wire 23", extends from the switch 151 to one end of the coil 215 of relay 213. The other end of the coil 215 has a wire 240 leading therefrom to the wire 225. When the bus bars or switches d and e are in closed position, they establish contact between the wires 212 and 222 and respective wires 241 and 242 whose other ends are connected to opposite sides of the electric motor 70.

It will be observed in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, that w the housing of switch 151 is suitably secured to'a bracket 245, which bracket is suitably secured to the wall 40 of the gear housing 43. The relays 213 and 214 and the transformer 210 are preferably disposed in a suitable housing or casing 246 suitably secured to the upper surface of the platform 30 and which has a hollow cable 247 leading therefrom to the plug 207 and in which cable the wires 205 and 206 may be disposed.

Method of operation As heretofore stated, the welt W of each successive article is placed about the nose member 20 and the free end of the hose receiving member 10. As the welt is placed on the hose receivingmember 10, the operator moves the master switch operating lever 153 to momentarily close the normally open switch 152. Assuming plug 207 to be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, current then flows from one side of the secondary winding of transformer 210, successively through wire 226, switch 152, wire 225, wire 240, coil 215 of the relay 213, wire 2'37, switch 151, and wires 2'36 and 227 to the other side of the secondary winding of transformer 210, thereby energizing the coil 215 to cause the switches or bus bars a, b and c to move to closed position.

Since the switch 152 is only closed momentarily by the operator, following initial energization of coil 215, current flows from the wire 227, through the intervening connections heretofore described to one end of the coil 215, current then continues through coil 215, successively through wires 240 and 225, bus bar c, wires 224, 233 and 226 to the other end of the secondary winding of the transformer 210 thus maintaining the flow of current through the coil 215, although switch 152 is then open.

The bus bars or switches a and b then serve to energize the electric motor 71 as current flows from the lead wire 206, successively through wire 212, switch or bus bar a, wire 220, motor 71, wire 221, bus bar or switch b and wires 222 and 223 to the lead wire 205. Since the donning device 12 and its carriage 13 are normally in substantially the position shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 7 when the improved hosiery turning apparatus is at rest, energization of the electric motor 71 causes the carriage to move forwardly in an inactive stroke while the hose donning device 112 is in the elevated position best shown in Figure 7.

As the carriage 13 and the hose donning device 12 appreach the end of each inactive stroke thereof, the hose donning device 12 is lowered into engagement with the welt of the hose A previously positioned about the free end of the hose receiving member and then the carriage 13 and the hose donning device 12 move from right to left (Figures 1 and 2), in the manner heretofore described, until the yoke or thread follower 1113, 1115 engages the rear end of the threaded portion of the reversely threaded shaft 14. The direction of movement of the carriage 13 is then again reversed to return the same to substantially the position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

As heretofore stated, in the course of each active stroke of the carriage 13, the cam follower 130 thereon engages the groove 131 in cam 132 to impart rotational movement to the toe punching device 16 while, subsequently, causing the tip 135 thereon to move into and through the aperture 17 in the cap 20, as shown in Figure 16.

Also, the locking pin or detent 122 (Figures 10 and 11) engages the abutment or thumb screw 127 to cause the carriage 13 to move relative to the shifting mechanism, including rod 116, block 121 and locking pin 122, until the head or hemispherical end 123 of the pin 122 seats in the concavity 124. This permits the pin 122 to then move past the abutment or thumb screw 127 along with the carriage 13 and also causes the donning device 12 to be elevated, in the manner heretofore described (Figures 8 and 9), thereby releasing the welt W of the hose A thererrom.

It might be stated here that, in the event of relatively long hosiery being processed on the improved hosiery turner, the thumb screw 127 need not be used, in which event, the rear end of the shifting rod 116 would engage the wall 41) of the gear housing 33 to cause the carriage 13 to move relative thereto as shown in Figure 8 and to thereby elevate the resilient arcuate member 11 of the hose donning device 12 to inoperative position.

As is apparent from the wiring diagram in Figure 14, upon the spring loaded plunger switch 151 being engaged by the switch actuating element 150 on the hose donning carriage 13, the circuit to the coil 215 of the relay 213 is broken thereby permitting the switches or bus bars a, b and c to move to open position. Also, when the plunger or switch 151 is depressed by the switch actuating element 159, the circuit is momentarily completed thereby to the coil 216 of relay 214.

To this end, current flows from the lower end of the secondary winding of the transformer 210 in Figure 14 successively through wires 227, 236 and 235, through.

switch 151, through wires 231 and 232, through coil 216 of relay 214 and through wires 233 and 226 to the upper end of the secondary winding of transformer 210. Upon energization of coil 216, the switches or bus bars d, e and f are moved to closed position and, since the plunger of switch 151 is engaged only momentarily by the switch actuating member 150, the bus bar 1 then serves to maintain the flow of current to the coil 216 of relay 214. To this end, current then flows from the lower end of the secondary winding of transformer 210 successively through wire 227, switch or bus bar 7, through wire 230, through normally closed switch 196, wire 232, coil 216 of relay 214 and, thence, through wires 233 and 236 to the upper end of the secondary winding of the transformer 210.

Now, upon energization of coil 216 of relay 214, the motor 71) is energized, since current flows from the lead wire 2115, successively through wires 223 and 222, through switch or bus bar e, through wire 242, motor 70, wire 2411, switch or bus bar d and wire 212 to lead wire 266. Of course, upon energization of the electric motor 70, rotation is imparted to the second reversely threaded shaft 21 to cause the hose dofiing and everting carriage 22 to move forwardly in an inactive stroke to subsequently grip the portion of the toe T of the hose A previously thrust through the aperture 17 by the toe punching device 16, as shown in Figure 17.

As heretofore described, the hose dofling and everting device 22 then moves in an active stroke to draw the hose A through the aperture 17, and, as the dotting and everting device 22 reaches the end of its active stroke the hose A is released therefrom. In so doing, the switch actuating leaf spring member is engaged by the hose dotting and everting device 22 for momentarily depressing the spring loaded plunger of the switch 196 which, upon being momentarily opened, breaks the circuit to the coil 216 of relay 214, thereby permitting the bus bars d, e and f to return to open position as shown in Figure 14. It is apparent that this will break the circuit to the electric rnotor 70 and the shaft 68 thereof will then continue to idle momentarily to return the doffing and everting device 22 to substantially the position shown in Figure 6, preparatory to a repeat operation, thus completing a cycle in the operation of the improved hosiery turner.

Modified form of tee punching device In Figure 18, only a portion of the improved hosiery turner is illustrated, since the parts of the improved hosiery turner which are not illustrated in Figure 18 may be substantially the same as the parts of the machine heretofore described with the exception of the second form of toe punching device. Thus, the same reference characters shall apply to like parts associated with both forms of the toe punching device.

As shown in Figure 18, the second or modified form of toe punching device includes an air discharge nozzle or jet 250 having its open end facing toward and in alinement with the aperture 17 in the lower portion of the cap 20. The nozzle 250 is supported on a suitable angle bracket 251 which extends downwardly and whose horizontal leg is suitably secured to the upper surface of the platform 30 in Figure 18. The nozzle 250 has a hose or pipe 252 extending therefrom to a suitable source of compressed air, as indicated in Figure 18,for directing a continuous blast of compressed air from the nozzle 250 towards the opening 17 in the lower portion of the cap or nose member 20. It is thus seen that, as each successive hose is drawn onto the hose receiving member 10 by the hose donning device 12, the loose end portion of the toe, remaining after the hose A has been drawn onto the hose receiving member 10, will be forced through the aperture 17 by the blast of air from the nozzle 250 to subsequently be gripped by the jaws of a hose doffing and everting device such as the device 22 in Figures 6, 7, 12 and 17.

It is apparent that a suitable valve may be controlled by means provided in lieu of the cam 132 for momentarily admitting compressed air to the pipe 252 as the donning carriage 13 approaches the end of each active stroke thereof, if desired.

It is thus seen that I have provided an improved hosiery turner wherein it is merely necessary for the operator to place the welt W of each successive hose A- about the free end of the hose receiving member 10 and to then actuate the switch 152 by means of the switch control lever 153. The hose A is then automatically drawn, for substantially its entire length, onto the hose receiving member, whereupon the hose is released from the donning device 12. The toe T is then automatically inserted in the aperture 17 in the cap or nose member 20 on the free end of the hose receiving member 10.

The hose doffing and everting device 22 is then automatically propelled toward the aperture 17 in the cap 21) and automatically grasps the toe of the hose and then pulls the same through the aperture 17 to overt the same while also pulling the same off the hose receiving member 10, whereupon the hose is released from the doffing and everting device 22 and discharged from the improved hosiery turner in its natural elongated state so that successive hose may be everted by means of the present ap paratus and each successive hose will be neatly stacked upon previously everted hose.

Since the hose are everted immediately after the seaming operation, it is evident that the improved hosiery turner may be operated by the same operator who performs the seaming operation or operates the seaming machine, if so desired, thus practically obviating the cost of the hosiery turning operation. Also, since the hose are everted automatically and in such a manner that insertion of the operators hand into the hose is unnecessary, this eliminates one of the most prevalent causes of pull-threads or runners in the hose.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. The method of turing a hose inside out on an elongated member having an opening in one end thereof which includes the steps of placing the welt of the hose over the end of said member, gripping the hose Welt and carrying the same along the longitudinal length of the member, releasing the hose welt, gripping the the toeportion of the hose and drawing the same through the opening at the end of the member and then releasing the toe portion.

2. The method of turning a hose which is open at one end thereof and closed at the other end. thereof on an elongated hose receiving member having an opening in one end thereof which includes the steps of placing the open end of the hose about the end of the hose receiving member having the opening therein, gripping the hose adjacent its open end and carrying the same along the longitudinal length of the hose receiving member, releasing the hose adjacent its open end, gripping the closed end of the hose and drawing the same through the opening in a direction parallel to the direction in which the hose was carried onto the hose receiving member, and then releasing said closed end of the hose.

3. The method of turning a hose which is open at one end thereof and closed at the other end thereof on an elongated member having an aperture at one end thereof comprising the steps of placing the open end of the hose on the end of said elongated member, gripping the hose adjacent said open end and carrying the same along the longitudinal length of the elongated member, releasing the open end of the hose, forcing the closed end of the hose into the aperture on said elongated member, gripping the portion of the closed end of the hose inserted through said aperture in the elongated member, drawing the hose through said aperture in the end of the elongated member until substantially the entire length of the hose has been drawn through said aperture in the elongated member, and then releasing the closed end of the hose.

4. Apparatus for turning hosiery comprising an elongated member, means for engaging the welt of a stocking placed on one end of said member and pulling said stocking onto said member, second means operable in timed relation to said first means for engaging the inner toe portion of said stocking and withdrawing said stocking inside out from the elongated member.

5. Apparatus for turning stockings and the like comprising an elongated sleevelike member having an opening at one end, means for engaging the welt of a stocking placed on said member adjacent said opening and pulling said stocking longitudinally onto said member, second means operable in timed relation to the first means for engaging the inner toe portion of said stocking and pulling the same through said opening to withdraw the stocking inside out from said member.

6. Apparatus for inverting pliable tubular articles comprising a tube having a longitudinal slot in its Wall, a cap on at least one end of the tube and being provided with an aperture substantially alined with said slot, means for gripping and drawing each successive article longitudinally onto and about said tube, means to thrust the trailing end of said article through said aperture, means to release said article from the gripping means upon said article being drawn onto said tube, a second means for gripping the portion of said article thrust through said aperture and for drawing the article through the aper ture and along said groove, and means for releasing the article from said second gripping means.

7. Apparatus for inverting a pliable tubular article comprising a substantially horizontally dispose-d elongated member having a longitudinal groove in its lower portion, a nose member carried by one end of said elongated member and having an aperture therein coinciding with said groove, means for resiliently pressing a portion of said article placed about said nose member against said elongated member and for sliding said article longitudinally onto said elongated member, means for punching a portion of the trailing end of said article into said aperture, a doffing device movable in said groove and having means for gripping said last-named portion of the article and drawing the article through said aperture, and means for releasing said last-named portion of the article from the dofiing device upon substantially drawing said article through said aperture.

8. An improved hosiery turning device comprising an elongated substantially horizontally disposed hose receiving member about one end of which the open end of each successive hose may be placed, electrically operable means for grasping and imparting movement to the hose longitudinally of said hose receiving member, means operable automatically, upon a predetermined length of said hose being drawn onto the hose receiving member, for releasing said hose from said electrically operable means, a cap on said end of said hose receiving member and having an aperture therethrough, means to position a portion of said hose in said aperture, means automatically operable upon the portion of said hose being so positioned for gripping the hose and pulling the same through said aperture to thereby withdraw the hose from the hose receiving member while inverting the hose as it is drawn through said opening, and means for releasing said hose from the last-named gripping means.

9. An improved hosiery turning device comprising an elongated substantially horizontally disposed hose receiving member, about one end of which the open end of each successive hose is placed, electrically operable means for grasping and imparting movement to the hose longitudinally of said hose receiving member, means operable automatically upon a predetermined length of said hose being drawn onto the hose receiving member for releasing said hose from the means for grasping the same and moving the same along said hose receiving member, said hose receiving member having a longitudinally extending groove in its lower portion, a nose member on said end of said hose receiving member and having an aperture therethrough communicating with said longitudinally extending groove, means to force a portion of said hose through said aperture, means automatically operable upon the portion of said hose being forced through said aperture for gripping the hose and moving the same longitudinally of the hose receiving member to thereby withdraw the hose from the hose receiving member while everting the same as it is drawn through said aperture, and means for releasing said hose from the last-named gripping means.

10. An improved hosiery turner comprising an elongated hose receiving member having a convex upper surface, means supporting one end of said member and its other end being free, and about said free end the open end of each successive hose is manually positioned, the free end of said hose receiving member having an aperture therein, means for gripping the hose adjacent the free end of said hose receiving member, means for causing said gripping means to traverse said hose receiving ,member for carrying the hose along the longitudinal length of the hose receiving member, means to then release the hose from the gripping means, a toe punching device having means for inserting the closed end of said hose through said aperture, a dofiing and everting device movable longitudinally of the hose receiving member and within said hose thereon, said dofling and everting device having means operable automatically for gripping the portion of the hose thrust through said aperture, means for imparting movement to said dotting and everting device for drawing the hose through said aperture while drawing the hose off said hose receiving member, and means operable automatically upon movement of said dofling and everting device. a predetermined distance away from said aperture for releasing said hose therefrom.

11. An improved hosiery turner comprising an elongated hose receiving member having a convex upper surface and being fixed at one end thereof and its other end being free, and about which free end the open end of each successive hose is positioned, a cap depending from the free end of said hose receiving member and having an aperture therein, means for gripping the hose adjacent its open end and adjacent the free end of said hose receiving member, means for causing said gripping means to traverse said hose receiving member for carrying the hose along the longitudinal length of the hose receiving member, means to release the hose from the gripping means upon movement of said gripping means a predetermined distance along said hose receiving member, a toe punching device having means for inserting the closed end of said hose through said aperture, a dotting and everting device movable longitudinally of and immediately below the level of the hose receiving member, said dofiing and everting device having means operable automatically for gripping the portion of the hose thrust through said aperture, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to said dofiing and everting device longitudinally of said hose receiving member for drawing the hose through said aperture while drawing the hose ofi? said hose receiving member, and means operable automatically upon movement of said dofiing and everting device a predetermined distance away from said aperture for releasing said hose therefrom.

12. Apparatus for turning hosiery comprising an elongated substantially horizontally disposed hose receiving member having one of its ends free and about which end the open end of each successive hose is manually positioned, electrically operable donning means for grasping and imparting movement to the hose longitudinally of said hose receiving member, means operable automatically upon a predetermined length of said hose being drawn onto said member for releasing said hose from said donning means, said hose receiving member having a longitudinally extending groove in its lower surface, a nose member carried by the free end of said hose receiving member and having an aperture therethrough communicating with said groove, means responsive to movement of said donning means a predetermined distance along said hose receiving member for thrusting a trailing portion of said hose through said aperture, a normally stationary dofting and everting device mounted for longitudinal movement in said groove, means responsive to movement of said donning means a predetermined distance along said hose receiving member for successively imparting an inactive and an active stroke to said dofiing and everting device, means on said doffing and everting device for automatically gripping the portion of said hose thrust into said aperture at the termination of said inactive stroke thereof and to thereby subsequently draw the hose hro gh said aperture for everting the same, and means operable automatically to release said hose from the last-named gripping means upon movement of said dotting and everting device a predetermined distance in said active stroke thereof.

13. Apparatus for turning hosiery-comprising an elongated substantially horizontally disposed hose receiving end the open end of each successive hose is manually positioned, manually controlled electrically operable means for grasping and imparting movement to the hose longitudinally of said hose receiving member, means operable automatically upon a predetermined length of said hose being drawn onto the hose receiving member for releasing said hose from said electrically operable means, said hose receiving member having a longitudinally extending groove in its lower surface, a nose member on the free end of said hose receiving member and having an aperture therethrough communicating with said groove, means responsive to movement of said electrically operable means a predetermined distance along said hose re ceiving member for thrusting a portion of said hose through said aperture, a normally stationary dofiing and everting device mounted for longitudinal movement in said groove and being spaced from said free end, means responsive to movement of said electrically operable means a predetermined distance along said hose receiv ing member for successively imparting an inactive and an active stroke to said doffing and everting device, means carried by said dofiing and everting device for automatically gripping the portion of said hose thrust into said aperture at the termination of said inactive stroke thereof and to thereby subsequently draw the hose through said aperture for everting the same with said active stroke, and means operable automatically to release said hose from the last-named gripping means upon movement of said dot-"ting and everting device a predetermined distance away from said aperture.

14. Apparatus for turning hosiery comprising an elongated substantially horizontally disposed hose receiving member having one of its ends free and about which end the open end or" each successive hose is manually positioned, electrically operable means for grasping and imparting movement to the hose longitudinally of said receiving member, means operable automatically upon a predetermined length of said hose being drawn 'onto said receiving member for releasing said hose from said electrically operable means, said receiving member having a longitudinally extending groove in its lower surface, a plate on the free end of said hose receiving member and having an aperture therethrough communicating with said longitudinally extending groove, means responsiveto movement of said electrically operable means a predetermined distance along said hose receiving member for thrusting a portion of said hose through said aperture, a normally stationary dofiing and everting device mounted for longitudinal movement in said groove, means responsive to movement of said electrically operable means a predetermined distance along said hose receiving member for successively imparting an inactive and an active roke to said dotting and everting device, a pair of normally open jaws carried by said dotting and everting device, and being adapted to move into said aperture at the end of said active stroke, means operable automatically upon said jaws moving into said aperture for closing said aws to grip said portion of said hose therebetween, whereby said hose is subsequently drawn through said aperture by the doffing and everting device, and means operable automatically upon said dotting and everting device moving a predetermined distance away from said aperture for again opening said jaws to release the hose therefrom.

15, Apparatus for everting pliable tubular articles, such as hosiery and the like, comprising a frame, a substantially horizontally disposed elongated member fixed at one end thereof to said frame and its other end being free, the lower surface of said elongated member having a longitudinally extending groove therein, said member having a convex upper surface, a nose member carried by the free end of said elongated member and having an aperture therein coinciding with said groove, a reversely threaded shaft mounted for rotational movement in said groove above the level of said aperture, means for driving said reversely threaded shaft, a dofiing and everting device mounted on said reversely threaded shaft and having means engageable with said reversely threaded shaft for effecting longitudinal reciprocatory movement to said dofiing and everting device, a donning device comprising a resilient arcuate member normally spaced above the upper surface of, and between opposite ends of, said elongated member, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to said donning device parallel to said elongated member, means operable automatically upon said donning device approaching the free end of said elongated member for lowering the arcuate member into pressure engagement with the upper surface of said elongated member whereby movement of said donning device in the opposite direction causes an article previously positioned about the free end of said elongated member to be gripped between the arcuate member and the elongated member and drawn onto said elongated member, means operable automatically upon movement of said arcuate member a predetermined distance away from the free end of said elongated member for raising said arcuate member out of engagement with said article, means operable automatically for inserting a portion of the trailing end of said article through said aperture, a pair of normally open jaws carried by said doifing and everting device, and being adapted to move into said aperture, means operable automatically upon said jaws moving into said aperture for closing said jaws to grip said portion of said article therebetween, whereby said article is subsequently drawn through said aperture by the dofiing and everting device, and means operable automatically upon said doffing and everting device moving a predetermined distance away from said aperture for opening said jaws to release the article therefrom.

16. In a hose turning machine, the combination of an elongated substantially horizontally disposed member having a free end adapted to have the open end of a hose placed thereabout, donning means to resiliently press the hose against said member and to slide the hose onto said member, means to release the donning means from the hose, an everting device reciprocably movable longitudinally in said elongated member, means on the everting device for gripping the interior of the toe of said hose to pull the hose therewith in an active stroke thereof whereby the hose is doffed from said elongated member, and means to release the hose from the everting device.

17. In a hose turning machine, the combination of an elongated substantially horizontally disposed member having a free end adapted to have the open end of a hose placed thereabout, the free end of said member having an axial opening therein, donning means to resiliently press the hose against said member and to slide the hose onto said member, means to release the hose from the donning means, an everting device reciprocably movable longitudinally in said elongated member, in alinement with said opening, means to punch the toe of the hose into said opening, means on the everting device for gripplng the interior of the toe of said hose to pull the hose therewith through said opening in an active stroke thereof whereby the hose is doffed from said elongated member, and means to release the hose from the everting device.

18. Apparatus for everting pliable tubular articles such as hose and the like, comprising a frame, a substantially horizontally disposed elongated member fixed at one end thereof to said frame and its other end being free, the lower surface of said member having a longitudinally extending groove therein, a nose member carried by the free end of said member and having an aperture therein coinciding with said groove, a reversely threaded shaft mounted for rotational movement in said groove above the level of said aperture, means for driving said reversely threaded shaft, a dot-ling and everting device mounted on said reversely threaded shaft and having means engageable with said reversely threaded shaft for effecting longitudinal reciprocatory movement to said device, a'"donning device comprising a resilient arcuate member normally spaced above the curved upper surface of said elongated article receiving member, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to said donning device parallel to said elongated member, means operable automatically upon said donning device approaching the free end of said elongated member for gripping an article previously positioned about the free end of said elongated member to thus draw said article onto said elongated member, means operable automatically upon movement of said donning device a predetermined distance away from said free end for releasing said article from the donning device, means operable automatically for inserting a portion of the trailing end of said article through said aperture, normally open gripper means carried by said dotting and everting device, and being adapted to move into said aperture, means operable automatically upon said gripping means moving into said aperture for closing the gripper means to grip said portion of said article therebetween whereby said article is subsequently drawn through said aperture by the dofiing and everting device, and means operable automatically upon said deifing and everting device moving a predetermined distance away from said aperture for releasing the article therefrom.

19. An improved hosiery turning device comprising an elongated substantially horizontally disposed hose receiving member about whose front end the open end of each successive hose is manually positioned, a hose donning device comprising a resilient member normally spaced above said hose receiving member and normally spaced rearwardly from said front end of said receiving member, electrically operable means for imparting reciprocatory movement to said hose donning device, automatically operable means for pressing said resilient member against the open end of a hose positioned on said receiving member as the donning device reaches a predetermined position adjacent said front end of the receiving member, means operable automatically for moving said resilient member out of engagement with said hose upon movement thereof a predetermined distance rearwardly along said receiving member, said hose receiving member having a longitudinally extending groove in its lower surface, means on said front end of said receiving member having an aperture therethrough communicating with said groove, a toe punching device normally spaced from said hose receiving member, means responsive to movement of said donning device a predetermined distance along said receiving member for successively moving said toe punching device into alinement with said aperture and then into said aperture to punch a portion of the trailing end of said hose into said aperture, a hose dofling and everting device mounted for longitudinal movement in said groove, means responsive to movement of said hose donning device a predetermined distance along said'receiving member for successively imparting forward and then rearward movement to said doffing and everting device toward and then away from said front end of the receiving member, a normally open gripper means carried by said hose dofiing and everting device, means operable automatically upon said gripper means approaching said front end of said receiving member for gripping the portion of said hose previously punched into said aperture whereby the hose is withdrawn from the hose receiving member while being inverted as it is drawn through said aperture, and means operable automatically upon said doffing and everting device moving a predetermined distance along said groove for releasing the hose from the corresponding gripper means.

20. An improved hosiery turning device comprising an elongated substantially horizontally disposed hose receiving member, about whose front end the open end of each successive hose is manually positioned, a hose donning device comprising a resilient member normally spaced above said hose receiving member and normally spaced rearwardly from said front end of said receiving member, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to said hose donning device, means for pressing said resilient member against the open end of a hose positioned on said receiving member as the donning device reaches a predetermined position adjacent the free end of the receiving member whereby said hose is drawn onto the hose receiving member by said donning device, means operable automaticaiiy for moving said resilient member out of engagement with said hose upon movement thereof a predetermined distance rearwardly along said receiving member, said hose receiving member having a longitudinally extending groove in its lower surface, means on said front end of said hose receiving member having an aperture therethrough communicating with said groove, a toe punching device comprising a compressed air nozzle spaced from said hose receiving member for directing compressed air into said aperture to punch a portion of the trailing end of said hose into said aperture, a hose doffing and everting device mounted for longitudinal movement in said groove, means responsive to movement of said hose donning device a predetermined distance along said receiving member for successively imparting movement to said doifing and everting device toward and then away from said front end of the receiving member, gripper means carried by said hose doffing and everting device for gripping the portion of said hose previously punched into said aperture whereby the hose is withdrawn from the hose receiving member while being inverted as it is drawn through said aperture, and means operable automatically upon said dofiing and everting device moving a predetermined distance along said groove for releasing the hose from the corresponding gripper means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 775,992 Shallenberger Nov. 29, 1904 964,959 Errnentrout July 19, 1910 2,722,348 Ammon Nov. 1, 1955 

